I wanted o restrict update permission to column level on my table. So i have revoked update permission and granted update only on particular columns.But surprisingly i was able to update all the columns of the filed though i restricted to few columns.

After i checked the permissions on the table i found that "REFERENCES" privilege was there.What is this privilege? what it has to do with update permission?

This table is referencing so many tables as its a core table, i was unable to revoke that permission.getting error: ORA-01981.